CVE-2026-100526 in openclaw
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2026
OpenClaw's Discord integration (npm package @openclaw/discord) before version 2026.9.3 could lose the sender-scoped media policy in the emoji and sticker upload actions before loading a local file. A sender permitted to invoke those actions could cause OpenClaw to read a host path that the same sender's configured media roots would otherwise reject, placing bytes from an out-of-policy local file into an outbound emoji or sticker upload. Exploitation requires access to the guild asset action and knowledge or derivation of a useful local path; the issue does not permit unrestricted filesystem browsing or code execution. The issue is fixed in @openclaw/discord 2026.9.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2026
The vulnerability identified within OpenClaw's Discord integration, specifically affecting versions of the npm package @openclaw/discord prior to version 2026.9.3, represents a critical failure in access control logic during file handling operations. This flaw manifests primarily through emoji and sticker upload actions where the application fails to enforce sender-scoped media policies before initiating local file reads. In a properly secured system, any request to process or transmit user-generated content must first validate that the source of said content adheres to predefined security boundaries known as media roots. These roots act as whitelists or sandboxed directories intended to restrict access to only those parts of the host filesystem deemed safe for processing by specific users or senders. However, in this vulnerable implementation, the sequence of operations is flawed such that the local file is loaded and processed before the system verifies whether the sender has permission to access that particular path based on their configured media roots.
This architectural oversight allows an authenticated user who possesses the necessary permissions to invoke emoji or sticker upload actions to bypass intended security restrictions. By exploiting this race condition in logic execution, a malicious actor can cause OpenClaw to read arbitrary local files from the host system's filesystem. The bytes contained within these out-of-policy local files are then incorporated into outbound uploads directed at Discord servers via emojis or stickers. This effectively transforms what should be a controlled media upload feature into an unauthorized file reading mechanism. While this does not grant unrestricted access to browse the entire filesystem, it provides targeted access to specific paths that can be guessed or derived by the attacker. The scope of exploitation is limited to files accessible within the context of the OpenClaw process and requires knowledge of useful local paths, such as configuration files, environment variables, or other sensitive data stored on disk.
From a technical classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, specifically regarding the failure to validate input against expected constraints before processing. Furthermore, it relates closely to CWE-552 Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties when considering the exposure of local resources that should remain isolated from user-controlled operations. In terms of offensive security frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, this behavior is indicative of T1083 File and Directory Discovery, as an attacker uses application functionality to enumerate and read specific files on the host system rather than performing broad scanning. The impact of such a vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage; it can lead to credential theft if sensitive configuration files are exposed, or potentially aid in further reconnaissance for more severe attacks like remote code execution, although this specific flaw does not directly permit code execution itself.
The operational impact is significant because it undermines the principle of least privilege applied at the application level. Even though the attacker cannot execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting OpenClaw, they can exfiltrate sensitive information that may compromise other aspects of the system or user accounts. For instance, reading environment files could reveal database credentials, API keys, or internal network configurations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where one user's actions should never impact another user's data security boundaries. The fact that exploitation requires knowledge of local paths means that while it is not an automated worm-like threat, it remains a serious risk for targeted attacks against users who store sensitive information in predictable locations on their servers.
To mitigate this vulnerability and prevent similar issues in future development, the primary remediation is to upgrade the @openclaw/discord package to version 2026.9.3 or later, where the logic has been corrected to enforce media policy checks prior to file loading. For organizations unable to immediately patch, implementing a web application firewall rule that monitors for unusual patterns in emoji and sticker upload requests may provide some level of detection, though this is not a substitute for fixing the underlying code. Developers should also adopt secure coding practices that prioritize input validation and access control verification before any interaction with system resources such as files or databases. Ensuring that all file operations are preceded by strict checks against configured allowlists or media roots will prevent unauthorized data exposure. Regular security audits focusing on authentication, authorization, and session management logic are essential to identify and rectify these types of logical flaws in complex integrations like Discord bots.